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Is Satan still allowed in Heaven?
Does God allow us to be tempted by demons?
What is the difference between testing & temptation?

Question

Anon *JR* writes - I was reading in 2 Chronicles and I came across a passage that was confusing to me. It was chapter 18, verses 18-22.

  • It talks about deceiving spirits. Does this show that Satan and his followers had access to the throne of God, as they did in the book of Job?
  • It says "the whole host of heaven." Did that include Satan and his evil spirits as well?
  • Also, does it show that God allows evil spirits to tempt us?
 

Micaiah said, "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. And the LORD said, "Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?"

  • A spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, "I will persuade him."
  • The LORD said to him, "In what way?"
  • "I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets."
  • The LORD said, "You shall persuade him and also prevail. Go out and do so."
  • Therefore look! The LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.

2 Chron 18.18b, 19a, 20-22

Biblebell's reply
The Bible makes it clear that, in ancient times, God decreed the assembly of angelic beings to appear before His throne in Heaven.

It is my OPINION that these *audiences* included ALL spirit persons -- Satan, the fallen angels, the elect angels, seraphim, cherubim, and zoa.
  Now there was a day when the sons of God [angels] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. Job 1.6

Again there was a day when the sons of God
[angels] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. Job 2.1
For reasons set forth below, I consider that God continues to decree the periodic assembling of angelic *audiences* in His presence, as He did in the days of Job.    
God's servants were on display in ancient times
When Satan appeared before God's throne in the days of Job, God confronted Satan with the fact of His servant Job's righteousness.
  The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" Job 1.8

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause."
Job 2.3
God's servants are on display TODAY
Today, God's servants are collectively referred to as *the church*.

Moreover, it is by the church that God continues to confront Satan with the fact that God alone is wise, gracious, and merciful; and that WE, the church, love and obey Him even though we sometimes suffer in doing so.
  This grace was given to me, who am less than the least of all the saints, so that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers [angelic authorities] in the heavenly places
Eph 3.8-10
Notice especially the words highlighted in the verse quoted alongside. Those words INFER that these audiences continue to be held "in the heavenly places."   ...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers [angelic authorities] in the heavenly places Eph 3.10
Satan accused God's servants of sin in ancient times
In the days of Job, Satan confronted God with the accusation that His servants only obeyed Him because of fear and greed.
  Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" Job 1.9

Then he
[the guiding angel] showed me ["me" refers to the prophet Zechariah] Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. Zech 3.1
Satan accuses God's servants of sin TODAY
The book of Revelation makes it clear that, even today, Satan continues to appear before God's throne, so as to be "the accuser of our brethren" -- the one who comes before God & accuses Christians of sin.
  Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Rev 12.10
God allowed his servants to be tested in ancient times    The LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he [Job] has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1.12
God allows his servants to be tested TODAY   In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one [an unrepentant person living in sustained sin] to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Cor 5.4-5

...having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1 Tim 1.19-20
As was true in ancient days, so also TODAY!

God does allow His servants to be tempted. God's Bible repeatedly warns you of this fact.

Moreover, God's Word clearly explains exactly how you should gain the victory in such situations.
  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Pet 5.8-9

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Jam 4.7
God may sometimes *test* you, but He will never *tempt* you.

READ ON for an explanation of the differences between choices, and testing, and temptation...
  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Jam 1.13
Choices, good & evil
God allows you to be confronted with choices between good and evil actions.
  [God said...] I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live Deu 30.19

Testing
When you are confronted by choices between good and evil, God will urge you always to choose the GOOD.

  • The choice of doing good or evil PLUS God's command to choose the good -- that is *testing*.
  [God said...] I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live Deu 30.19

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "
This is the way, walk ye in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isa 30.21
Temptation
When you are confronted by good and evil, there will be THREE voices telling you, "If it feels good, DO it."

Those 3 voices are the world, the lust of your own flesh, and evil spirits.
  For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2.16

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons
1 Tim 4.1
  • The choice of doing good or evil PLUS the urging of the three voices to choose the evil -- that is *temptation*!

The verses alongside make it clear that, for many Christians, the most powerful of those three voices is... their own lustful flesh.

  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Jam 1.14-15

Why does God allow His servants to be tempted?

  • God's word answers this question in several key passages. I have quoted only a few examples.
  • Please read and meditate upon these verses at length.
  • I have needed these God-breathed assurances many times in my own personal life. Perhaps you will need them, too, some day.
  • In a nutshell, testing and temptation are "weight lifting for your soul."
  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials [!!!], knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Jam 1.2-4

We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Rom 5.3-4

If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4.16-17

Alongside I have quoted the verse that we all can take comfort in.

  • Over the years, I have learned that the words, "such as is common to man" can include such things as cancer, mortgage foreclosure, false accusations, and worse. This world is neither easy nor fair.
  • I have also learned that "what you are able" means that God's goal is to STRETCH my courage to new limits, thus making me grow.
  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10.13
  • That *stretching process* can be incredibly painful while it's happening, but it's always glorious in the end.
  • *Joy cometh in the morning!*

[Finally, beloved, remember -- Instead of removing Daniel from inside the lion's den, God spent the night there with him.]

Amen.

  ...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30.5b

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